O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
WINDWARD
Cultural Center tightens belt
A 35 percent decline in visitors at the Polynesian Cultural Center since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has forced the popular Windward tourist attraction to place part-time employees on-call until further notice.
None of the center's student employees from Brigham Young University-Hawai'i participating in the work-study program will be affected.
The center's full-time employees will have their wages cut or their hours reduced, said Von Orgill, center president.
"The impact of (the Sept. 11) tragic events on the country, Hawai'i, travel and tourism have been significant," Orgill said. "The impact on the PCC has been no different."
Water plan opinion sought
The Board of Water Supply is accepting comments on a proposal to convert two existing exploratory wells at Malaekahana into production wells, which would increase the reliability of the water system in Kahuku, according to the state Office of Environmental Quality Control.
Currently, the board serves Kahuku customers with a stand-alone system consisting of two wells and a half-million gallon reservoir. This system is used at, or slightly above, its design capacity.
The board would equip each new well with a 700 gallon-per-minute pump. One well will be used and the other will be a backup.
The project also would include improvements to the wells' access road, pipeline connections and a building for controls.
The public may comment on the project until Oct. 8 by writing to the Board of Water Supply, 630 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813; or to Planning Solutions Inc., 1210 Auahi St., Suite 221, Honolulu, HI 96814.
CENTRAL
Education on tap at meeting
'Aiea and Pearl City legislators will hold a community town meeting focusing on education tomorrow.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to hear and comment on plans for public education, including the Felix consent decree.
A panel of guests will include Paul LeMahieu, schools superintendent; Donna Ikeda, Board of Education member; Alton Tamashiro, Central O'ahu Family Guidance Center chief; and Iris Tomita, school-based mental health program director.
The meeting will be at Pearl Ridge Elementary School cafeteria from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For details, call the office of Sen. Norman Sakamoto at 586-8585.
Wahiawa man held in burglaries
A man suspected of a series of Central O'ahu burglaries and nicknamed "the kissing burglar" by police was being held on charges of burglary and kidnapping.
Alan Shimabukuro, 39, of Wahiawa, was arrested Thursday on auto theft charges. Burglary and kidnapping charges were added on Saturday, and Shimabukuro remained in custody yesterday pending $50,000 bond.
Wahiawa police said Shimabukuro is suspected of a series of Central O'ahu burglaries in which he asked victims to kiss him.
Detectives said the charges against him arose from a burglary on Alapoai Street on Tuesday.
The burglar entered a home where a woman lived with her two children and ordered her to turn over her money and her car keys, and to lie on the floor. The woman complied. He then instructed the woman to kiss him. She refused.
Shimabukuro was in the woman's car when he was arrested Thursday, detectives said.
EAST HONOLULU
Recreation plan needs feedback
The state is seeking comments on the city's proposal for a Diamond Head Road Makai Recreation Master Plan, which seeks to accommodate the diverse recreational needs on the landmark.
The proposal would be used as a guideline for managing the multiple recreation activities and balancing them with traffic. The plan covers a 1.5 mile area on Diamond Head Road, and includes four beach parks and the Lighthouse.
The city is proposing to place utility lines underground, widen the sidewalks, install traffic calming devices, widen planting strips, landscape and add bike lanes in both directions.
The public is asked to submit comments on the project by Oct. 8 to the City Department of Design and Construction, 650 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813. Send comments to the attention of Don Griffin.
Three rescued off Sandy Beach
Three people were rescued by lifeguards off Sandy Beach last week, despite signs posted warning of high surf and no swimming, said Acting Lt. Ron Bregman.
A 14-year-old girl visiting from Canada had to be rescued at 2 p.m. An hour later a 45-year old man and his 11-year-old son had to be rescued.
All were fine after the rescues, Bregman said.
HONOLULU
Grant deadline now Sept. 28
The Hawaii Community Foundation has extended the deadline for neighborhood grants applications until Sept. 28.
The foundation is accepting proposals from O'ahu community groups who want to improve their neighborhoods. At least half of the group members must live within the neighborhood targeted for improvements. The grants range from $1,000 to $5,000.
The applications must be postmarked by Sept. 28 and sent to Neighborhood Grants Program, Hawaii Community Foundation, 900 Fort Street Mall, suite 1300, Honolulu, HI 96813.
For details, call 566-5550.
'9-0' phone scam targets businesses
Businesses and other organizations equipped with PBX systems are being targeted in a "Dial 9-0" scam that opens up private lines for unauthorized long-distance calls.
Verizon Hawaii spokeswoman Ann Nishida said the scam, which is about 5 years old, occurs nationwide. Verizon security, however, has been receiving inquires about the scam.
The scam involves callers identifying themselves as telephone technicians conducting a test. The responding party is asked to touch nine (9), zero (0) and either another zero (0) or the pound sign and hang up. On most business lines, touching "9" will access an outside line and "0" calls the operator. The other "0" and pound sign are not significant.
Nishida advises customers to hang up if they receive calls like that. Verizon technicians show up in person to test lines, she said. As of today, they will be wearing black or gray shirts bearing the company name and badges.
